Shan Oakes moved into politics in 2005 when she found herself unable to vote for any of the old, grey parties. She last stood in the 2008 by-election, coming second out of 26 candidates. In 2009 she stood in the European elections for Yorkshire and the Humber, when the Green vote increased dramatically. Oakes has lived in the East Riding of Yorkshire since 1975, where she taught English at schools in Hull and Beverley. This was followed by eight years' championing child welfare, parent partnership and special needs for Humberside County Council education department, and further work in the Community Safety Partnership in the City of York. She then spent two and a half years living, working and learning a great deal in Uganda. She is a co-founder of Voice International, which works to promote sustainability through education. Oakes is a trustee of Norwood House Beverley Ltd, the Development Education Centre (Hull), and Indigo Moon Theatre. She is married with two sons, four stepchildren and six grandchildren.